Can I just say I might sizzle like an egg in the sun here. It. Is. HOT! HOT! HOT! I sweat like a monster!

Hello my peeps from home! 

First off I am so stoked to have a new nephew!!!!!!!! Welcome to the world baby Lukey!!!!!! I want to hold him but I will have to wait 6 months I guess. Jack Happy Birthday this week I love you!!!!!!! 32....anos 

Can I just say I might sizzle like an egg in the sun here. It. Is. HOT. Hot. Hot. I sweat like a monster. 

This last week was fabulous. We had a baptism on Valentine's Day >>>>>

Stephy was baptized! And it was the prettiest baptism I have ever been too. Her grandma decorated it all pretty. I will send a pic.

We had intercambios this last week. It happened to fall on my one year mark. Hermana Gozan came to my area! She is like the perfect missionary that I always wanted to be. I was so happy to spend the day with her. She started her mission in my same area, so our pencionista threw a little party for her and I. 

I have really come far in one year. I remember in the CCM. Hermana Kaeding asked me what a.m. and p.m. were in Spanish. I responded "it's probably buenos and dias!" such a dummy. I was reading through my journal the other day and found this quote that really helped me when I was going through a hard time in the mission. I got it from Ruby's email.

 "For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." --souza

I am trying to treasure everyday I have. The mission goes by fast. I have always had the problem of always wanting the next step in life, but I am learning to seize the day. We only have one life. One opportunity. I am so grateful for this time I have to serve and grow. 

We are talking with everyone we see. Like I said and exceeded our goal this last week. We talked to 130 people! Whoop! And we are finding new investigatores by talking more. Maybe 1 out of the 10 we talk to are actually going to progress but everyone counts. Many people have never even heard of our church. The hard part about this place is literally EVERYONE and their dog are Catholic but by tradition. No one understands how it is possible to be baptized again. They all think it is a sin. Today we got on the Bus to go to Piura and a guy got on screaming the whole hour ride about the BiBle and God. Literally screaming. One passenger on the bus asked him to lower his voice. These people are a God believing people, but they have a hard time accepting the restoration. Joseph Smith. 

On the bus ride home there were no seats so they smashed us into the front of the bus. Haha I sat on the ground. I started chatting with the Bus driver Pedro about the gospel. But at the end of it all he asked me out to get some Juice. Ugh. Yeah so we darted for the seats in the back. 

We had a mini zone conference this last week and Pres Rowley came. He talked about how Nephi would not return to his house without the gold plates. He simply wouldn't do it, because God had commanded him to go get the plates. So how was he going to return home without the plates?! It's like in the mission. Each day we have a goal to talk to 20 people. If we don't complete it we go home late. We walk and stay our later until we have reached our goal. How can we return to our apartment each night without talking to 20 people? We are really stretching ourselves. We come home tired but satisfied with the work. 

I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in Spanish! Finally! (it is longer in spanish) I love that book and I know it is true. I know it!  And if you don't know it read it. Read it before  you criticize it. It really brings me the most comfort when I am far from home. 

I used to live the gospel but now I LOVE the gospel!

So we have really upped the talking this week. My mouth might be dry from talking so much. Haha no just kidding! You would think as missionaries that we talk with EVERYONE we see. (That's what you all think hehe). Which is well partly true. Our lives are so so busy and sometimes excuses come into my mind as ah there is no time to stop and talk with her we are late for this next appointment. Well this last week we reached our goal and beyond! I have never talked to so many people in the streets in one week! We talked with 107!!!! That's a new record. 15 people a day and sometimes more. So this week we have a even better challenge 18 people a day. So far today we have only talked with 5 so we got to get off this computer and go talk! HABLAR CON TODOS. That is our motto. And how many people have you Utahns talked to this week about the church. Don't tell me ZERO. If so get out there and go street contacting! I did it once with my dad in Park City. It's worth a try. Go buy some pass a long cards and don't be chickens. 

Some of the weird people we contacted this week asked us if we were Terrorists? Another guy (a plumber) when I invited him to come to church he asked me if I was single then invited me to be his partner (ew no!). 

Stephy will be baptized this Saturday! She is the smartest 9 year old in the world! That is what I will be doing for Valentine's Day. 

Speaking of Valentine's Day. I have learned how to LOVE. How to LOVE all. It was hard for me when I first got here in the mission field. The whole day I walked around thinking about myself. Thinking about how homesick I was, how much I wanted to eat food from home, how much I didn't want to speak spanish or practice another lesson that I didn't know how to teach then have my trainer tell me what I did wrong. People would tell me how bad I couldn't speak Spanish. Negativity at it's finest. I didn't enjoy waking up in the mornings. Ugh Another Day (so I thought). Don't let me fool you I am so great right now. This was when I got here. It was HARD. I got discouraged and counting the days. Well people I can tell you that missionary work was never easy! Do you think Christ had a jolly time being persecuted or Joseph Smith. Nope they didn't and neither did Hermana Stringham because she didn't know how to LOVE. Today I am a different person. Yeah it's okay if we teach 20 minutes longer and I have 20 minutes less of free time in the night time, because I am helping someone. I am trying to love someone and give them what I love most. THE GOSPEL. I used to live the gospel but now I LOVE the gospel. It is apart of who I am. 

That is my long spheeellll. Don't be suprised. Every missionary feels this way they just don't have the guts to write it. 

Through trials come blessings. Through trials come STRENGTH. I am a stronger person than I was a year ago. Thanks to these last 12 months. Happy One year to me this thursday! 

Love you all, Remember go share some pass a long cards!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Stringham 

Dogs on roofs. It's an everyday thing

Lice - Big and little brown bugs....YUCK

This is Sarah's email from last week.  She resent it today....:D

Hello World!!!

How is February treating you all! This last week we saw a lot of tender mercies. First off we have a goal to talk to 15 people everyday. Our mission pres wants us to find new investigators. This week we have the goal of talking to 100 people. This last week we talked to 88 so I know it is possible. One day this last week we decided to knock doors when our appointment fell through. We never do this, because everyone is outside of their houses, because inside well it's like a hot hot sauna! We also started Piano classes! The first class we held 9 people showed up. Not to bad. I know we will find new investigatores through piano. It's funny because everyday I do what I hated to do before my mission.TEACH.I have never liked teaching but I have had to get used to it because that's my job 24-7. I teach the gospel, piano, English, singing (because no one can sing here), how to pray, how to be obedient, how to love, how to forgive, how to repent, how to recieve an answer, how to listen for the spirit, how to cook American food....and who am I to teach all this? Sometimes I am blown away at the trust God has in 18 and 19 year olds to teach the most important message on this earth. 

This last week I even pulled lice out of a girls head. Yuckkkk! I was very fascinated because I had never seen lice, but also very disturbed. She had a ton TON of lice. Big and little brown bugs in her head. This little girl saw how terrified I was and began chasing me with a lice bug in her HAND! Gosh I about died. I tried to freak out and be calm. The whole night I kept itching my head. I just pray I am lice free. 

You know how I told you there were 25 people at church last week? Well our whole branch has been very worried about the number of people who are attending. We have 305 members and look at how many are inactive. After much fasting, praying, and work yesterday there were 80 people! I was so happy. Our Branch president even invited us over tonight to eat ice cream haha because he was super happy. 

We are teaching a girl named Asusana. This girl is 12 years old and has warts all over her hands and feet. When we arrived at her house she was crying because he mom had just cut them all off. Her hands were wrapped in bandages. She doesn't like to leave her house because kids make fun of her. They don't have money to see a doctor. But oh how my heart sunk deep for this girl. I am learning to have the love the Savior has for each of his children no matter who they are.  

I am starting to talk in English like Spanish. Sorry kids. I might say things weird in my letters like"I have 20 years." or "Lets go to the house of the Smith's." Things like that. Everything is all messed up in my head. 

Anyway, I feel of your prayers and love all around me. Being away from home makes you realize all that you have. And I can tell you all we have a lot. So stop complaining! God is good to those that keep the commandments. It's that easy! 

Love you all,

Hermana Estringum (funny storry this is how my comp spells my name)

THIS IS THE MISSION PEOPLE

Look Mom - I know how to hand wash clothes!!

  Hey Guys! 

How is everyone doing? I hope well. I am doing fabulous! Our recent convert Carola has a son named Luca. He is 8 years old. With all that has happened in his life he resents God a little. But poco a poco he is changing. We are teaching him and he has a baptismal date for the next week! It is a miracle. He is probably the hardest boy ever and we really have to be creative to teach him. I love teaching kids So we are hoping for 2 baptisms Feb 14 Stephy and Luca. Mom you asked me if I am teaching. Yes I am teaching a billion people there is no time or space to write about everyone one of them. The Peruvians let ya right in! But then they tell you they are Catholic and aren't gonna change. I always say "We will see about that." We found a new family. A rock awesome family. The first time we contacted them the husband asked us where and when is our church and then told us his family will go to church the next day. And they did! The last 30 minutes they showed up at church! I was so happy. Weird the things that make me happy in life. 

We don't have enough time or days to find all the references we have our schedule is always jam packed and as you can imagine we return each night darn tired. But that is the best part. Having your shoes filled with sand every night when you get back. Your neck sunburned. Your hair frizzy because of the sweat. THIS IS THE MISSION PEOPLE. And I couldn't be happier to be here! 

Oh and guess what we reactivated someone this week! The son of my pencionista. To reactivate someone it is a process of at least a month usually longer. We have been working with him since I got here. 

We also through a surprise birthday party our last p-day for Hermana Carola our recent convert! She had never had a party and was quite touched. I don't have pics....but it was a fiesta! We didn't do anything against the rules don't worry. I just ate my cake and pizza. 

Well not everything is jolly in the mission. Like yesterday when we got to church and only 30 people showed up......ouch. That kind of hurt. There were people visiting from the stake and they pretty much told us missionaries that we don't work. Because in their ward the missionaries work harder, there aren't enough seats for everyone in her ward. She called us fat. Hahahahahahaha. It's okay. Someone has got to say it! But WE DO WORK. We work hard.This Sister doesn't know, so I forgive her. We just laughed it off. 

This time of the year it is summer break. The ninos here go crazy with their water balloons and water guns. We have to watch out. It is called "carnivals" and all the kids through water balloons. I was riding calmy in the bumpy moto when a little nino ran up behind me and their water all down my back. "Que Rico!" It was delicious. If I can't swim I can get water thrown down my back. 

Yesterday was my comps birthday! Our pencionista had us over for dinner like always. For a delicious tomale, chicken, popcorn, cookies, and cake.MMMmmmm. 

I tried to be a good comp and make my sister a banner for her bday. I woke up early and attempted to blow up these balloons in the bathroom. Hna Justiniano totally heard me and I dropped the banner a billion times and tried to tape the balloons. 

We also had room inspections.Man I really don't like them. We were up all night trying to clean our room for the President. They are too hard on us. We must have cleaned well because they gave us candy. 

Well I love my life. I love you all. And miss you all. I pray for you daily!!!!!!!!!! 

xoxo Hermana Stringham

PS We made No Bake Cookies today. But it was a fail. The oatmeal here is all flakey. But for Peru it was pretty delicious I guess. 

We hiked a hill today at 6 am. I pulled my comp out of her bed.....poor girl-

"It's like these people have never seen a white girl!"

Hello Everyone!

This last week it was all on me...Hermana Guachalla is gone. She is the sweetest comp I have ever had and we cried. Well she cried. I never can get the tears out in the moments most needed. She taught me so much--how to work with members better and how to love every person. Anyway our area is pretty BIG! So I was kind of scared for her to leave. But with my prayers and your prayers I have been able to find my way around Chulucanas just fine! 

My comp I figures her name out phew! Hermana Justiniano. She has her Black Belt and knows how to box. So I don't mess with her ;) She speaks a Bolivian vocabulary which I don't understand. Lots of the times I just nod my head and say hmmhmm. She likes to laugh and eat so we get along. Speaking of eating Chulucanas and my pencionista are giving me the chubs. But two days this past week we went running! And man were my legs were sore. I haven't had a comp since my training (8 months ago) that would run with me, so I am very happy that Hna Justiniano will go running with me! 

Yesterday I gave a talk in our small branch about temples. I shared each experience I have had in the temple. When Marianna was sealed when I was 5, doing baptisms for the first time when I was 12, and receiving my endowment when I was 19. I really felt God put words into my mouth and the gift of tongues. Later we taught singing time in primary! I loved it and I am jealous that mom gets to teach primary every week. So much better than Relief Society. 

We are teaching a 9 year old. Her name is Stephy. She has a baptismal date for Feb 14! Her parents are less actives so we are reactivating them as we teach her. She is the smartest little girl and always keeps her compromisos! 

Today we went shopping in the Market. You guys know what the markets are like in Cambodia right? Yeah well it is the same. Smells like fishy yucky stuff, trash everywhere, people hustling, motos passing by, and people yelling to me "nina bonita!!" STARES. and more STARES. My comp said to me "It's like these people have never seen a white girl." When people hollar at me my comp gives them the death glare. Hahaha at least I know I am protected. 

I know the God answers my prayers. I am so grateful to be in Chulucanas. I have feel in love with this small quaint city, and I know my time is not wasted! I love you all and hope you have the best week! 

Hermana Stringham

Disgusting Hairy Chicken

I recieved letters today! Hurray!! Thank you Jermans, Longsons, and John and Jan Stringham. I LOVED your christmas cards, I cannot believe how big and beautiful the Jerman family is! Julia is 12???WHAT. My mind was blown today. Anyway thank you all for thinking of me. 

Transfers were today I am still in Chulucanas, but with a different comp. Her name is Hermana Joliiiii.......... ahhhhh awkard I forgot her last name! it's a hard one and I can't ask her right now because I feel dumb asking her her name. I will have to get back to yall next week on the name after I study some more. I have only been with her for a few hours, but she is from Bolivia and is 19 years old! I am excited to work with her! She just finished her training so kind of a newby still--the best. 

This week wow I don't know what but Hermana Guachalla and I have the worst luck. 

First. Hermana Guachalla one night pulls out a cell phone that wasn't ours. I asked WHAT IS THAT? She looked at me and said OH NO. I forgot I had the zone leaders cell phone. We placed it on the table almost afraid to touch it. It was the ZONE LEADERS cell phone. They are an hour and a half a way. What do we do now??? Haha it kept buzzing everyone from the mission president's wife to members were calling their phone. We didn't answer a single call. The next day finally we returned it and felt a little better. 

Second. I attempted to clean the dirty bathroom. I placed my hand on the sink and plunk it fell down! It's my strength I suppose, but yeah we had to call the owners today. I hope it will be okay.  

Third, This marriage deal with our investigador is a headache. We are only missing ONE paper, but if we don't find it they can't be married. I now understand why no one is married here! It's quite the hassle. But please pray that we will find it. 

Fourth, My horror of chicken here. Man I have eaten so many chicken with their hair still on it! It's like they kill the chicken then give it to me. I am disgusted with chicken, but ya got to eat it ;) 

One of our investigadores came to church yesterday her name is Stefani. We want to invite her to be baptized this week. Carola our recent convert is on fire! She is now the first counselor of the Primary. She is so excited to start her calling and be a visiting teacher I love it! We are working a ton with the members here in our branch. They are few. But I love Chulucanas! MInus the heat. It's got to be past the boiling point in Chulucanas. 

I love you all. Keep me in your prayers. You are always in mine! Have the best wintery week! 

xoxo Hermana Stringham 

I Could Breathe for a Minute........

Happy 2015 WORLD!!!

We spent New Years Eve well different this year. Our pencionista invited us to dinner. We ate fried chicken, fries, paneton, and hot chocolate. A delicious mix. New Years is probably bigger than Christmas here. The people go wild. They have human sized dummys and they burn them. For what purpose I don't know....They also get their suit cases and put the heaviest things they can in them. Then they make a lap around the block and make a wish to travel somewhere I think. Something weird like that. Of course they blow a bunch of fireworks too, drink and dance the night away. 

We made a human sized dummy of an Elder who just returned to his house and then burned it. Hna Guachalla and I stayed up until 1 am in our lovely apartment. We lit a few fireworks, and made 12 wishes (One m&n for each wish). We couldn't find grapes, but we always have chocolate ;) We also made a toast to 2015 with AGUA. I don't think I've ever made a toast with water but it was exciting. We had a good night. 

 Quickly this last week.........

We had intercambios (sleepover). I stayed in our area. Got ourselves lost of course. I spent the day with Hermana Ciseneros she is from Ecuador. We had a great time and I learned a lot from her. 

We went to a Mango Farm today with a few members and the Elders! I was in heaven. I felt like I was back at Vinhagen.  I forgot all of my stress. I could breath for a minute. We played with water balloons, climbed mango trees, played with a slack line, ate chicken and a load of rice. It was a dream.

I ate a mango for breakfast and dinner almost everyday. They are sooo good.

Purple Mangos!! Mmmmmm

We prayed for a baptism goal. We do this every month. We start with a prayer and end with a number. I've done this with every companion. Most of the time we think of different numbers, and question well who has the spirit today? haha. But with Hna Guachalla for the month of December and January we have come up with the same numbers! It's amazing how the spirit works. 

My USB has a virus and I lost a lot of pictures of my first area......kind of really sad.What should I do to back up my pictures so this won't happen again??

God is putting litterally placing people in our way it's amazing. On Saturday we went to a members house and found someone who lost her son two years ago. We got in a little arguement about how some churches can't dance, but at the end of it all this sister was crying and wants to come to church. Yesterday the same thing happened. We were in a family home evening, when two random people walked in. Turns out this guy prayed that this year he would find good people to help him. I can't even explain my lessons with you guys, but I definitely know that God prepares people. The spirit is so evitable(is that a word?) anyway I know when I feel the spirit when we are teaching and when I don't. It's amazing. 

I love you all sooo much!!!! 

I loved the banner the ward sent me THANK YOU!!!!

xoxo Hermana Stringham

We had another wedding last week!